Beghitam

Last Thursday, I just got back from my latest expedition; operation in Nanga Merit, Kapit. I never expected that was my last. I received a transfer letter that put me out from UKB, perhaps forever.  I have been transferred to IC section… bummer… And here I thought after a year, I haven’t travelled much. I even never set my foot in Baram yet although UKB visits that district every 2 months. It was so unfair. When I was the unit leader, I was never given much chance to go in operations. And now, I won’t get that chance anymore. Even if I do, it will be slim.

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UKB made a trip before to Nanga Merit in 2006, if I’m not mistaken. And for the second time, the place was chosen again for our operation. Like other UKB’s operation, this one is situated far from the reach of popular phone lines, except satellite phone.

Nanga Merit is situated on the banks of Batang Rajang. It’s halfway between Kapit town and Belaga on the upstream. At that time, it was draught season. The water level was so low that the school looked far uphill as you could see here. I was almost out of breath when I went up dan down carrying stuffs from the  speedboat.

The only way one could go to Nanga Merit is by speedboat, or by express if it is rainy season. If one didn’t have the skill to maneuver or the guts to withstand the thrill of Pelagus Rapids, one could disembark and go through the woods by 4WD (3/ 4 hours journey I think), passing the rapids and take the boat again. Pelagus is really wild, the current is torrential and could topple our little speedboat at anytime.

 This is where we live: a pre-school class. It was ok since it has a proper toilet although water supply is via collected rainwater. Unfortunately, it was dry season and our water supply ran out by the third day. But that night, Penghulu and the headmaster organized a dinner with kareoke. Everyone sang their hearts out until the sky thought the frogs croaking for the rain. So early in the morning, a downpour resulted for more than an hour. 

Receiving applications is not an easy job. It is important to get every particular correctly and investigation  interviews were done to get applicants’ statement that could support or deny their application. After a hard day’s work, a simple but hearty meal would compliment all our efforts. We had a huge labang fish bought from the locals that night; a portion fried and another portion masak asam pedas.

Before dinner, some of us spend the evening fishing from the water pump pier. Nothing were caught though. Just to kill the time while watching the sunset view from Batang Rajang.

The view was breathtaking. It gave the aura of tranquility and time seemed to stop. Made me forget the nerve-wrecking issues back in the office.

We also managed to visit a Beketan’s longhouse during our last evening there. It situated about 10 minutes walk from the school. Pretty nice house there; situated near the banks of Batang Rajang. Once again, the sunset view here was amazing.

We left Nanga Merit on 13th May morning. It was school day for the kids and we took the oppurtunity to take pictures with them. It felt like school alumni.

The first speedboat came at about 730 a.m; as promised earlier. However, we were delayed as the second speedboat only arrived an hour later. Nak berjanggut menunggu.  When everything was set, we took another picture before leaving Nanga Merit.

Through my stay in Nanga Merit, I feel rejuvenated mentally. I forgot my worries back in Kuching. When we were back to where the mobile phone lines rule, things got hustle bustle again. No more laid-back and gila-gila attitude like before. 

I have a lot more pictures during our stay cum operation there. It’s not enough to upload all in this blog. It’s also not enough to upload them all in the photo album either. But, I will upload most of it later.

~ by magebane on May 18, 2009.